3 tips to help with anxiety…
Hi everyone, Ash here
Do you recognise what anxiety looks and feels like? We are all unique so our individual experience with anxiety will vary from person to person, but these past few weeks I have noticed a symptom in myself that I hadn't experienced before - a tight chest and a sinking, tingling sensation in my stomach. When I spoke to Sam about it she compared it to the feeling you have when a relationship ends or you receive some bad news and this was a good comparison - it did feel like that!
I can't pinpoint a specific reason as to why I'm suddenly feeling this way but I do believe it's anxiety from over stimulation and not enough rest. I feel very content with most parts of my life at the moment, but I do know that I am definitely in need of a break! I haven't allowed myself much time this year to really 'switch off' and if I'm not working, I'm thinking about work! I'm lucky that I have a job that I love and am excited for every day, but I know I need to listen to my body more and give it time to really rest so I have scheduled some rest days over the coming weeks. I'll also take some extended time off over Christmas before a busy January!
Have you experienced feelings of anxiety like this? If so, here are my top 3 tips that I am practising over the next few days and weeks -
1. Schedule in rest time if you are someone who works far longer than you should. Add it to your calendar and agree with work colleagues/business partners/family that this time is for you. This is an important appointment you are making just for yourself!
2. Let go. You can't do everything that you want to, right now. Choose two or three things to focus on and let go of everything else until it becomes a priority.
3. Manage your anxiety in a way that suits you - reading, meditation, dancing, time out in nature. Whatever helps soothe the physical feelings of anxiety for you, do it. Just like Tip 1, make time for it and don't compromise it for anything!
I appreciate that feelings of anxiety and anxiety disorder are very different. Most of us experience anxiety to some degree at different times, but if it's continuously affecting your daily life negatively please visit your GP as it may have become an anxiety disorder. You won't regret it and you'll be stronger for it in the long term, I promise.
As always, we are here to chat if ever you need us
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day
Sam and Ash